Newark’s Mayor a Jew, First Time in 247 Years

May 15, 1933

Newark, N. J (May. 13)

For the first time in the 247 years since this city was settled, a Jewish citizen will be its Mayor. Dr. Meyer C. Ellenstein, reelected to the City Commission this week by the highest vote ever received by a candidate and the only member of the Commission to be reelected, will be named as Mayor when the new Commission meets formally next Tuesday to organize, a statement by the other four members of the Commission, revealed.

The new Mayor, who is both a dentist and lawyer, was selected for the Commission last October to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Commissioner John F. Murray. At that time, 154 ballots were taken by the other four Commissioners before he was chosen.

Dr. Ellenstein, whose early lifetime was spent in Paterson, is identified with more than thirty fraternal and charitable groups and is active in Jewish affairs. He is a member of the board of trustees of Temple B’nai Abraham and treasurer of the Hebrew Orphans’ Sheltering Home.